I would say just in the past week I have gotten an overwhelming amount of questions about balancing life and motherhood.
So I though I would share with you a few things that help keep me in balance, so I can make the most of my time doing the one thing that is most important to me....being a mommy! While also getting the day to day stuff done too.
I realize there are women out there who have like 6 kids and have ten plus years on me. I am by no means saying what I do is the perfect or right way, I am just sharing what works for me as a mom and wife in our household. I love learning and gleaning from other mothers and I hope others can do the same from me.
Yes, I am fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom. That means a lot of sacrifices. But, I am very thankful I am able to do so. I have worked since I was 15 years old and worked all the way up till I was 39 weeks pregnant. If you are a working mom, I applaud you. You do it all and you are truly amazing. And don't think because you have to work and leave your baby (or babies) it lessens you as a mother. I have said it so many times before, but I have seen working mothers be more attentive to their children, then stay at home moms.
Ok enough.
I hope to answer all your questions. If you want to know more, just leave a comment below and I will gladly answer any of your questions.
Here is what I do to help balance my life:
1. Wake up early. I know this is so hard. I have done this since Hudson was a newborn, and we all know that is rough with all those night time feedings.
I wake up to get a head start on the day. I usually just get myself ready...which I have learned to do in about 30 minutes. I also only wash my hair twice a week so I don't have to mess with it and it cuts down on my "getting ready" time. Now, I don't get ready unless I absolutely have to. Some weeks, I have something going on everyday and have to, and other weeks we are home 4 out of the 7 days. It just depends. It's also good to let your face breath from time to time. If I don't have to get ready, I get up early to get some laundry done, or even work on my blog. Now, yes I do have days, were I sleep in till Hudson wakes up which is anywhere between 6-6:45 AM.
If your a working mom, plan your outfits out. When I was working, even not as a mommy, I would take some time out of my Saturdays and plan my outfits and make sure everything was ironed. I always packed my lunch the night before. This will also save you money so you aren't eating out all the time. Same goes with moms who have kids in school, plan their outfits out at least the night before and pack their lunches ahead of time.
I remember reading in a book by a few rich and successful business man that said "Successful people wake up early."
2. Prep and organization. Yes, I am very much a Type A personality and a bit OCD. So, I thrive in organized situations. Which also means I get really stressed out when things aren't organized.
I'm not just taking about the cabinets and the endless amount of toys. Although, that helps so much. I am actually working on some toy organization, because things are just everywhere since we do not have a play room at this house. But, that is for another day and another post.
I am talking about calendars, schedules, and lists. I make tons of lists. Also, my calendar is my life saver. I use this one, which is actually currently one sale. Between appointments, mom club events, my blog, and husbands schedule, I need everything laid out on paper. This way I can see what I have going on that week. If there is a lot going on, sometimes I will cross off some unnecessary things..like a moms club playdate. I love having fun things to do with Hudson, but I also don't want to be that mom that has their child in so many different things that they really don't get to enjoy being home and playing with trucks on the floor.
I also plan out meals. Not really for calories (although I should), but just so I can get everything I need when I am at the grocery store while I am there. I can't tell you how many times I have had to do 4 separate grocery store trips because I forgot the butter or sour cream. It also helps with not eating bad. It so easy to just go through the drive thru (which we sometimes do and that is okay) instead of throwing some chicken in the crockpot.
3. Subscriptions. I love being a 21st century mom. So many great things at our finger tips. Amazon Prime is a mom's best friend! It is so worth the $100. I have so many basic household items on subscription that I can have shipped at the same time each month and I don't even how to worry about it. Plus, it arrives at my doorstep in two days. Things I have on subscription are paper towels, toilet paper, my face wash, etc... I used to have a subscription with the Honest Company, for all my household cleaners, but since everything came out I have cancelled that. So, this actually reminds me that I need to add these to my Amazon list.
If subscriptions aren't your thing, there are other websites like Boxed or Jet that allow you to order in bulk without leaving the house.
But yes, I still make my weekly trips to Target.
4. Make the most of nap times. I remember reading that you should sleep when baby sleeps, and when Hudson was little I struggled with this. I was so exhausted, but also needed to clean the toilets. I think if you are on the verge of exhaustion and need a beak take it. It is so important to take time for yourself. So if you need time to just sit and watch an episode on Netflix...do ti!
Hudson takes one nap a day and naps for about 2-3 hours. So the first thing I do is work out. When I used to watch my niece and had two kiddos, I would do a quick 20 min workout, because she didn't nap. But, now that she goes to school I am able to work out for about 45 minutes each day. I have never liked gyms. I can save about an hour out of my day without having to drive to and from a gym. Working out at home is just what works for me right now.
Then I usually go through my house and spot clean and vacuum and mop. I recently got the dyson cord free vacuum and oh my gosh, what an amazing product! We have stairs and it makes my life easier and my back loves me for it. It makes it so great for just pulling it off the wall and vacuum up after Hudson eats. Then I use my Swiffer Wet Jet. I love this because I just remove the old pad add a new one and mop away.
Then I spend the rest of my time on things like phone calls, emails, and my blog.
If your child or children don't nap, it is okay for them to have some down time. Whether this is watching a movie or using an iPad or kindle to play some learning games. They are so many resources available! Screen time is okay, just don't use it as a babysitting or to raise your child.
5. Cleaning and Laundry. There is nothing more I love than a clean house. But, with life and children it can be hard to keep up with it.
I deep clean my house every other week (so twice a month). Like I mentioned before I spot clean a little bit during nap time, I just take my clorox wipes and wipe the counters and bathrooms down real quick. I do a deep mop (I use my wet jet everyday) and clean the bathrooms every week. With a potty trained toddler boy...it needs to be deep cleaned every week.
On the weeks I have to deep clean. I just do a bit through out the day when Hudson is busy playing. Now, when he was younger and more needy I would have to break the cleaning up in days. He is older now, so I can get it done in a day.
Now the laundry, I do a little bit each day. Having a "laundry day" is just too much, I feel like that is all I do, so I do some each day and makes it so much easier.
Remember we are all on different journeys of motherhood and we all have different things that work for us. Remember to give yourself grace. We all have bad and good days. And on the bad days, we spend so much time beating ourselves up. Children are the most forgiving human beings, and each day is a new day and His mercies are new every single morning.
Loves to you all
Xo
Hannah
No comments